Laboratory pumps – find manufacturers and suppliers

Laboratory pumps are used to convey, meter, evacuate or circulate liquids or gases in a precise and controlled manner.

They are pump systems specially developed for use in scientific, analytical and industrial laboratories. They are designed for small volumes, high precision and chemical resistance.

Below you will find the operating principle and the most important types of laboratory pumps, their typical areas of application and their advantages:

How laboratory pumps work:

The mode of operation varies depending on the pump type. What all laboratory pumps have in common is that they move a medium (gas or liquid) mechanically, pneumatically or electrically.

Important types of laboratory pumps:

1. Peristaltic pump (hose pump):
   Pumps liquid by squeezing a flexible tube.
   No contact between the medium and the pump mechanism.
   Ideal for sterile, contamination-free applications.
   Easy to clean and replace the tube.
2. Diaphragm pump:
   Pumps liquids or gases by pulsating diaphragm movement.
   Available dry-running and chemical-resistant.
   Frequently used in vacuum applications or for gas transportation.
   Quiet and low-maintenance.
3. Piston pump (syringe pump):
   Precisely definable displacement of liquid by piston movement.
   High-precision dosing, ideal for analytics, HPLC, reagent supply.
   Low delivery volume, but very precise.
   Software-controlled programs possible.
4. Gear pump:
   Displacement through intermeshing gear wheels.
   Uniform delivery of viscous liquids.
   Robust and suitable for continuous operation.
5. Vacuum pump, e.g. rotary vane, diaphragm or scroll pump:
   For generating negative pressure for filtration, drying, evacuation.
   Depending on the type, suitable for rough, fine or high vacuum.
   available oil-lubricated or oil-free.
6. Centrifugal pump:
   Pumps by rotational movement with impeller.
   Well suited for continuous water or solvent supply.
   Not for highly viscous or gas-laden media.

Typical uses of laboratory pumps:

1. Analytical and chemical laboratories:
Dosing of solvents, buffers and reagents.
Pumping in HPLC, GC or titration systems.
Vacuum filtration, solid phase extraction (SPE).
Evacuation of reaction vessels or drying ovens.

2. Biotechnology and life sciences:
Media supply in bioreactors or cell cultures.
Removal of process gases or liquid waste.
Enzymatic dosing in automated assays.
Transfer of sterile liquids between containers.

3. Pharmaceutical industry:
Dosing and transfer of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API).
Production of very small quantities in development.
Conveying under GMP conditions (Good Manufacturing Practice).
Vacuum applications in drying or coating processes.

4. Medical research and diagnostics:
Dosing very small quantities of liquids in analysis devices.
Vacuum generation in blood analyzers.
Delivery of reagents in in-vitro diagnostics systems (IVD).
Infusion simulations in test set-ups.

5. Food and beverage laboratories:
Liquid dosing for quality controls.
Circulation of samples in storage stability tests.
Conveying viscous substances (e.g. syrup, emulsions).
Analysis of residues or additives.

6. Environmental analysis and water laboratories:
Sampling of groundwater, wastewater or surface water
Dosing of test reagents in water analysis.
Support for chemical oxidation or adsorption processes.
Support for filter and adsorption tests.

7. Industrial research and development:
Chemical reaction control on a pilot plant scale.
Circulation in small reactors or pilot plants.
Dosing of additives, resins, paints or varnishes.
Development of new dosing techniques and materials.

8. Materials science and process engineering:
Dosing of pastes, suspensions, nanofluids.
Vacuum processes for material drying or coating.
Pumping of abrasive or viscous substances.

9. Energy technology and environmental technology:
Pumping in fuel cell or battery laboratories.
Gas analysis (e.g. CO₂, H₂, CH₄)
Degassing, liquid circuits for test stands.
Reactor feeding with gaseous or liquid media.

Advantages of laboratory pumps:

• Precise volume control (especially with dosing pumps)
• Chemical resistance to aggressive or reactive media.
• Compact design for use on laboratory benches.
• Simple control either manually or with software support.
• Sterility and hygiene with contactless pumping principles.
• Wide range of flow rates, depending on requirements.

Laboratory pumps are indispensable tools in modern laboratory technology. Their selection depends heavily on the medium, pumping requirements and accuracy. Thanks to their diversity - from sterile peristaltic pumps to high-precision piston pumps and robust vacuum systems - they cover a wide range of applications. The right pump makes a decisive contribution to the process reliability, efficiency and reproducibility of laboratory-based work.

Here you will find an overview of the most important criteria to look out for when purchasing laboratory pumps:

When purchasing laboratory pumps, it is important to consider far more than just the flow rate or price. A wise decision is based on a holistic view of the intended use, the chemical-physical properties of the media, safety aspects and long-term operation.

• Before even thinking about product types or models, it must be clear what the pump will be used for:
• Is liquid or gas to be pumped?
• What is the viscosity, aggressiveness, reactivity or particle load of the medium?
• Is the pump required for continuous delivery, precise dosing or evacuation, e.g. for vacuum filtration?
• Depending on the application, different pump types are possible - such as peristaltic pumps for contamination-free pumping, piston pumps for dosing or diaphragm pumps for gases and vacuum applications.
• A key selection criterion is material compatibility with the medium. All parts in contact with the medium (e.g. hoses, valves, seals, housings) must be resistant to solvents, acids, alkalis or other chemicals. Common materials are PTFE, PVDF, stainless steel or glass.
• A wrong choice of material can lead to corrosion, blockages or even safety risks.
• The desired flow rate (from microliters to several liters per minute) must match the pump type. Another decisive factor is whether the pump must operate with low pulsation, stable pressure or particularly fine metering.
• If there is a high back pressure, e.g. for vacuum filtration or in HPLC systems, the pump must be mechanically designed for this - otherwise there is a risk of loss of performance or damage.
• Professional laboratory environments require precise control - often even automated control:
• Can the pump be operated manually, by display or via an external control system?
• Are there digital interfaces such as USB, RS232 or Ethernet?
• Is integration into automation systems or laboratory software possible?
• Programmable profiles, cycles or remote triggering are particularly important for syringe pumps or dosing systems.
• For microbiological, medical or pharmaceutical applications, it is critical that there is no cross-contamination. This means
• Non-contact conveying, e.g. via hose systems.
• Autoclavable components or disposable hoses.
• Dead volume-free design.
• A peristaltic pump or a specially encapsulated dosing pump is usually ideal here.
• Cleanability is a decisive selection criterion, especially with frequent media changes. A good laboratory pump should:
• Be easy to dismantle or rinse.
• Have few, easily accessible wear parts.
• Have long maintenance intervals and make spare parts available.
• In continuous operation or in sensitive applications, this saves considerable time and costs.
• Safety is particularly important when handling hazardous substances:
• Is there dry-running protection, leakage monitoring or automatic shutdown?
• Does the pump operate oil-free (particularly relevant for vacuum pumps)?
• Is the pump protected against backflow?
• Are safety certificates or explosion protection (ATEX) required?
• An incorrectly selected or improperly used pump can pose a considerable risk.
• In laboratory environments with sensitive equipment or prolonged operation, the noise level plays a major role. Vacuum pumps and rotating pump types in particular can cause disturbing vibrations or noise.
• Low-noise or vibration-free devices are particularly in demand in analytical laboratories and in biotechnology.
• A low price is not the only purchase criterion in the professional sector. The decisive factors are:
• The reliability and durability of the pump
• The quality and precision of the installed components
• The availability of spare parts, hoses or accessories
• Technical support and advice from the manufacturer or dealer
• An easily accessible technical contact is worth its weight in gold, especially in the event of faults or integration into automated systems.
• Many laboratory areas are developing dynamically - so it is an advantage if the pump solution can be expanded or converted.
• An investment-proof solution can be flexibly adapted and avoids expensive new purchases when requirements change.

When purchasing laboratory pumps, technical requirements, safety, quality and future viability must be considered in harmony. A well-chosen pump not only supports precise work and high reproducibility, but also protects personnel, materials and infrastructure. Close coordination with laboratory management, technology and users is just as important as sound advice from the supplier. A professional pump is not a short-term purchase - but a central tool for reliable scientific work.

Laboratory pumps can be obtained from various suppliers. Comprehensive information on manufacturers and suppliers of Laboratory pumps from all over the world can be found on Exportpages.